Moving Company
There are many options available if you choose to go with a moving company.
Copyright 2008 Chris Breikss Moving Company
Most times, the company will start by sending you a questionnaire or checklist that you complete to describe the details of your move. Most often it’s organized by room and will list items to help you remember everything you have. It will ask you to list the furniture items being moved, as well as the number and size of boxes.
The company will give you a list of items that they will not or can’t move –- either by choice or by law. They will also ask you the address you are moving from to the address you are moving to, which floor you live on (in each place) or how many floors are in the home.
They will also need to know whether you will be packing the boxes and disassembling furniture items or whether you need them to do that as well. All these things affect the price. Believe it or not, some will charge extra if the distance from where they can park the truck to where the entrance to the home is happens to be greater than a certain distance. Prices will also vary depending on how many moving professionals will be needed.
Based on this information, they will give you an estimate. In order to get the most accurate price, make sure to be honest when you complete these forms. If anything, overestimate, rather than underestimate. You’d rather be surprised in a positive way.
Pick a company that specializes in your type of move. If you are moving across the country, find a company that specializes in these types of moves. If you are moving from one small apartment to another, find a mover that offers options for this time of move. Some charge more based on the day of the week. Most have a minimum number of hours they charge for, even if it doesn’t take that long. Pricing will also be affected by where you live and where your new address is in relation to where their company is located.
Check with the BBB, ask for references (and actually call them) and do online research to look for compliments and/or complaints.
Don’t forget to add a tip amount when budgeting for moving with a company.
Regardless of what route you go, do your research. I can’t possibly explain all the intricacies in a blog article. Read more articles. Then, research individual moving companies, or truck rental companies. Find out whether the final price you are give is indeed the final price, or are there any other potential charges or fees? Find out how payment is accepted, whether there is a discount for cash, if and when a deposit is due, and when the final balance is due.
Ask for references and call them. When you talk to each reference, ask about their experience, whether they would use them again, and whether they would recommend them to a friend or family member. Also ask if they know the company or had a prior relationship with anyone in the company (such as a friend or family member working in the company).
Make sure to find out if the company and its employees have liability insurance, errors and omissions insurance, and how they handle antiques or other valuable items.
Ask them how they book their appointments? How much time do they leave between appointments? If possible, always try to get the first appointment of the day so there’s less chance they can fall behind.
RENTAL TRUCK
If you have enough help, you may choose to rent a truck and enlist your family and friends.
Copyright 2008 by Phil Gold Budget Moving Company Truck
Once you’ve decided on a truck, you can either enlist the help of family and friends, or find a professional movers. There are both companies that hire out movers and there are also people that do this work as independent contractors. that work on an hourly basis or by the job, or find experienced movers that work as independent contractors and run their own business.
With truck rentals, ask some of the same questions but also ask if the rental is guaranteed? What type and size truck will you be given? Get everything is writing. Read the fine print on the contract. You don’t want to arrive to get your truck and find out they double-booked and don’t have a truck for you. With truck rentals, if you are hiring independent contractors working as movers, find out the same types of information.
With friends and family, make sure to provide them with some type of food and drink (depending on the time of day and length of the move). If could be coffee and donuts or pizza and soda or other beverages. It might even be move if you’re expecting them to help all day. If you don't provide food or drinks, I would recommend giving some monetary reimbursement as well or a small gift of appreciation.
Tip: You might also need a rental truck if you decide to rent furniture when staging your home.
Recommendations
So my three absolute recommendations are:
- First, do research on anything and everything.
- Second, get anything and everything in writing. Don’t accept anything verbally. Even changes or modifications must be in writing and initialed by all parties involved.
- Third, take pictures of items you are moving, both before and after the move. Make an inventory of everything you are moving to go with the pictures. For antiques and valuables make sure you have insurance on them with your own policy, and that the movers either have insurance or have a policy that they won’t move these items.
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The actual moving of your belongings can be the most complicated part of the entire moving process. Be as proactive as you can by doing your research, being prepared for moving day, getting everything in writing, and making both a written inventory along with photos and/or video of your belongings. One way you will also make moving easier is if you follow my staging tips and pack those seasonal items or those you don't really use or need for the next month or so -- pack as you are staging.These steps will help you at least minimize the potential for difficulties and problems.
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